Lateral elliptical exercise machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an exercise machine providing elliptical strides in substantially lateral directions. The elliptical motion of the pedals is basically a combination of a looped motion of a loop motion means and a reciprocating motion set by a motion guide means following a predefined path. The loop motion means connects the motion of a left pedal to the motion of a right pedal so that the movement of both pedals is dependent. Substantially lateral motions of the left pedal and the right pedal follow lateral predefined paths set by a left motion guide means and a right motion guide means. The motion guide means can be a simple reciprocating arm that rotates about a pivot point on a base frame and its distal end guiding the motion of the pedal; a track that is either fixed on or moving in reference to the base frame; a linkage system, such as a four bar linkage system, pivotally fixed at two or more points on the base frame providing a point, on the linkage system, that moves in reference to the base frame and provides a specific predefined path; or a combination of any two or all of above creating a mechanism that produces a desired path for a point in the motion guide means.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/398,748, filed on Jun. 30, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to exercise equipment to simulate a lateral motion exercise for development of a user's muscle groups involving legs, glut, mid-portion, and even arms.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Many elliptical exercise machines and lateral motion exercise machines have been introduced in the field of the art in the past. Some of prior arts display simple mechanisms to achieve the continuous elliptical strides for the exercise for the users. Among them is Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,343, which teaches an simple forward and backward elliptical motion exercise and includes a pair of foot engaging link. The first end of each link is supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis and a second end of each foot link is guided in a reciprocal path of travel. The combination of these foot link motions permits the users foot to travel in an inclined, oval path of travel. Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,756, also teaches a compact elliptical motion exercise in a simple front and back motion in a device that includes a frame having a set of guide links pivotally supported thereupon. Each guide link supports a foot engaging link at one end thereof. The guide links are reciprocated back and forth by a set of intermediate links which engage a set of cranks which rotate about a second pivot point. A control link joins the foot link to the intermediate link and operates to vary the angle between the guide links and the foot links, as the guide links reciprocate. Chu, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,935 teaches a lateral elliptical training apparatus that includes rotating gears positioned in a generally horizontal plane. Linear supporting struts are pivotally attached to the gears for movement therewith and a motion restricting device is engaging with the liner supporting struts and adapted for restricting the linear supporting struts to a combination of pivotal and linear translational motion. Pivots engage the linear supporting struts and restrict it to pivotal motion as one end. Foot rests are mounted on the linear supporting struts at an end opposite to the pivots. The rotating gears, linear supporting struts, motion restricting device and pivots are mutually interconnected for moving the foot rests in a lateral elliptical motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention is an exercise machine with elliptical strides in substantially lateral directions. The strides of pedals are cyclic by employing a loop motion means in the mechanism. The elliptical motion of the pedals is basically a combination of a looped motion of a loop motion means and a reciprocating motion set by a motion guide means following a predefined path. The loop motion means provide a closed loop motion that can be a circular shape provided by a simple crank commonly found in a bicycle with two crank arms sticking out with their angular positions about 180 degree apart or an elliptical shape provided by a moving point on a linkage system comprising a crank arm and a reciprocating mechanism commonly found in elliptical exercise machines. The loop motion means connects the motion of a left pedal to the motion of a right pedal so that the movement of both pedals is dependent: A motion on the left pedal causes a counter-motion on the right pedal. Substantially lateral motions of the left pedal and the right pedal follow lateral predefined paths set by a left motion guide means and a right motion guide means. The motion guide means can be a simple reciprocating arm that rotates about a pivot point on a base frame and its distal end guiding the motion of the pedal; a track that is either fixed on or moving in reference to the base frame; a linkage system, such as a four bar linkage system, pivotally fixed at two or more points on the base frame providing a point, on the linkage system, that moves in reference to the base frame and provides a specific predefined path; or a combination of any two or all of above creating a mechanism that produces a desired path for a point in the motion guide means.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide such a device that simulates a lateral motion exercise with each pedal moving in an elliptical path.

Another objective is to provide such a device that is simple in structure that is relatively easy to manufacture and keep the cost low.

Another objective is to provide such a system that provides an easy dependent movement for a user to minimize the time for the learning curve.

Another objective is to provide such a system that provides the user cyclic motion with a mechanism comprising a crank system creating a loop path for an accommodation of a flywheel that turns generally in one direction once the exercise starts for easy braking control.

Another objective is to provide a system that eliminates stick points in the exercise movement for an easy start at any pedal position or at any angular position of the crank system.

Another objective is to provide a three dimensional motion for the exercise that involves more muscle groups of the user.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment, that has a set of swing arms guiding the movement of the pedals, showing one side of the crank system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment viewed from another angle to show the other side of the crank system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the crank system or a loop motion means with looped arrows showing the movement of one part of the loop motion means and a double head arrow showing the movement of another part of the loop motion means.

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d show different ways to install a pedal near an arm joint and keep the pedal movement substantially the same.

FIG. 5 shows a mid-plane of the machine in top plan view and angles of the pedal movement with respect to the mid-plane.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment with a set of rails guiding the movement of the pedals.

FIG. 7 shows an example of one way to construct joint points or joint parts for linking moving parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The elliptical pedal motion shown in the invention is a combined motion of a looped movement and a reciprocating movement in a line or an arc. The two different movements can be combined by connecting the two movements with a link in between and a properly selected point, where the pedal is attached or linked, on the link is observed to follow an elliptical path. The lateral elliptical exercise machine here demonstrates a lateral motion of the pedals when the looped movement and the reciprocating movement are arranged in certain angular positions in the three dimensional space. The above described drawing FIG. 1 illustrates one of the embodiments for the invention, a lateral elliptical exercise machine 10, comprising a base frame 20 providing a support structure for a loop motion means 40, a left motion guide means 100, and a right motion guide means 102. A left arm assembly 60 and a right arm assembly 70 are linked to loop motion means 40, making their motions dependent to each other, and also mechanically linked or engaged to left motion guide means 100 and right motion guide means 102 respectively.

In FIG. 1, Base Frame 20 stands on the floor surface and provides a support structure for other components. Base Frame 20 comprises a base bottom structure 22 that provides at least three contact points with the floor for stability of the lateral elliptical exercise machine, a base upright structure 26 that is a fixed part of base bottom structure 22 to support a crank pivot 24 that is placed at a set distance above the floor surface on base frame 20. A base handle 200 may be provided fixedly on base frame 20 in front of and for the user to hold onto while he or she is on the lateral exercise machine. The user may stand on the pedals facing toward the loop motion means and use the machine or facing away to the opposite direction from the loop motion means to use the machine. In either case, base frame 20 can provide a structure to station at least one handle either on the sides or in front of the user.

Loop motion means 40 is a mechanical system that creates a closed loop motion path and can be, in the simplest form, a crank with two crank arms fixed to each other at about 180 degree angular offset as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The simple crank provides a circular loop motion path at a point on the distal end of the crank arm. In this case, loop motion means is simple crank system comprising a crank pulley 42 to transfer inertial and resistance force to and from a flywheel 50 using a belt 48. Belt 48 can be easily replaced with a chain or a gear system to mechanically relate the crank system to the flywheel. Usually a brake force is applied on the flywheel to produce a smooth and even resistance force for the exercise, however the brake can be directly applied to the crank pulley or even on the crank axle to create the resistance force. A left crank arm 44 is fixedly attached to one side of crank pulley 42 providing a support structure for left joint 46. There may be a right crank arm fixed on the other side of the pulley or the pulley itself can also be an arm structure to support a right joint 54 as shown in FIG. 2. The order of the parts' position is not critical as long as there are two joints 46, 54 supported by a structure in between: The two joints 46, 54 may be right next to each other with the crank pulley fixedly connected to one side of them as long as joints 46, 54 are about 180 degree apart in angular position when rotating about their center position. Loop Motion Means 40 as a simple crank system in this embodiment is pivotally fixed at crank pivot 24 of base frame 20.

Loop motion means 40 can also be an elliptical system, now well known in the field of the art, that provides a moving support structure for joints 46, 54 to follow a pair of closed loop paths as shown in FIG. 3. Left joint 46 is mounted on a left elliptical link 56 that is pivotally connected to left crank arm 44 that is also pivotally fixed at crank pivot 24 of base frame 20. On left elliptical link 56, a left guided point 57 at a set distance away from a left crank joint 45 is guided in a reciprocating motion that follows a predefined line path or a curved path. Left crank joint 45 pivotally joints left elliptical link 56 to left crank arm 44. Likewise, right joint 54 is mounted on a right elliptical link 58 that is pivotally connected to the right crank arm that is fixedly connected to the left crank arm and pivotally fixed at crank pivot 24 of base frame 20. On right elliptical link 58, a right guided point 59 at a set distance away from a right crank joint 53 is guided in a reciprocating motion, shown in FIG. 3 as a double head arrow for its movement, that follows a predefined line path or a curved path. Guided points 57, 59 can be guided with a pair of reciprocating arms as shown in FIG. 3; a pair of tracks connected to the base frame for points 57, 59 to follow; or any linkage system that provides a reciprocating motion in a predefined line path similar to the double head arrow. Left joint 46 can be fixed at any point along link 56 other than guided point 57 to produce an enclosed loop path. Right joint 54 can also be fixed at any point along link 58 other than guided point 59 to produce an enclosed loop path.

Motion guide means 100, 102 provide a reciprocating motion to a left arm joint 64 and a right arm joint 74. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pair of simple reciprocating arms to provide guide arm joints 64, 74 in curved motion paths. Left motion guide means 100 as a simple pivoting arm is pivotally fixed at and rotates about a left guide pivot 104 on base frame 20. In the case of left motion guide means 100 being a simple reciprocating arm, a good position for left guide pivot 104 on base frame 20 is on the left side of the user with the radial direction or a radial plane of the axle, left guide pivot 104, substantially orthogonal, between 45 and 135 degree angle shown as angles A and B in FIG. 5, to the mid-plane of the lateral exercise machine. The radial direction of the axle, left guide pivot 104, is shown in FIG. 5 as a line P; so line P indicates a general direction of the motion of right guide arm joint 64. The mid-plane of the lateral machine, shown in FIG. 5 as a line M in the middle of the top view of the machine, divides the left side and the right side of the machine when the user stands on the pedals facing toward the loop motion means. The machine may also be used with the user facing the opposite direction of the loop motion means. Likewise, in the case of right motion guide means 102 being a simple reciprocating arm, a good position for right guide pivot 106 on base frame 20 is on the right side of the user, if the user is facing toward the loop motion means, with the radial direction or a radial plane of the axle, right guide pivot 106, substantially orthogonal, between 45 and 135 degree angle, to the mid-plane of the machine. Left arm joint 64 is located at or near the distal end of left motion guide means 100 to pivotally linked with left arm assembly 60, and right arm joint 74 is located at or near the distal end of right motion guide means 102 to pivotally linked with right arm assembly 70. Therefore the general directions of the guided reciprocating motions on arm joints 64, 74 are also substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane, substantially lateral directions.

Motion guide means 100, 102 can be other types of mechanical guide to direct the movement of arm joints 64, 74 in generally lateral directions such as a pair of rails that arm joints 64, 74 can ride and follow in a reciprocating motion as shown in FIG. 6. Left motion guide means 100′ as a rail is mounted on base frame 20. And right motion guide means 102′ as a rail is also mounted on base frame 20. The rails may be straight or curved to provide predefined paths for the reciprocating motion of arm joints 64, 74, and fixedly mounted or pivotally mounted on based frame 20 to provide a desired character to the path. The rails here are also oriented in a way that the reciprocating motions of arm joints 64, 74 are directed substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine, between 45 and 135 degree angle, substantially lateral directions. Whether the rails are curved in two dimensions or three dimensions, the general overall direction of each rail is to be oriented substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane to create substantially lateral motions. There are other ways to create a complex curved path for each of motion guide means 100, 102 such as a typical four-bar linkage system with its two pivots pivotally mounted on base frame 20 and three linked bars are moving in respect to the base frame providing a point on the four-bar linkage system for the arm joint. The rails that the arm joints ride on can be pivotally mounted on the base frame and linked to other moving parts such as a crank or a reciprocating arm to create a unique curved path for the arm joints to follow in a substantially lateral directions. Left arm joint 64 is fixed on left arm 62 at a set distance away from left joint 46, and right arm joint 74 is fixed on right arm 72 at a set distance away from right joint 54.

A first point on a left arm 62 of left arm assembly 60 is pivotally attached to loop motion means 40 at left joint 46 which provides an enclosed loop motion to the left arm assembly and a second point on left arm 62 is pivotally joined to left motion guide means 100 at left arm joint 64. Left pedal 120 is mounted on left arm 62 near and either side of left arm joint 64 to move in a lateral elliptical motion. A first point on a right arm 72 of right arm assembly 70 is pivotally attached to loop motion means 40 at right joint 54 which provides an enclosed loop motion to the right arm assembly and a second point on right arm 72 is pivotally joined to right motion guide means 102 at right arm joint 74. Right pedal 122 is mounted on right arm 72 near and either side of right arm joint 74 to move in a lateral elliptical motion. FIGS. 4 a through 4 d show a number of ways to mount a pedal near arm joints 64, 74. FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show pedal 120 pivotally joined to motion guide means 100 at a point near above arm joint 64 and its vertical motion mechanically related or affected by the movement of arm 62. FIGS. 1 and 4 c show pedal 120 directly mounted on arm 62 near arm joint 64. FIG. 4 d shows pedal 120 movably mounted on arm 62 near arm joint 64 and its movement on arm 62 is mechanically related to another part of the machine such as crank arm 44 directly with a link in between or indirectly with multiple links. There are many other ways to mount the pedal near the arm joint and make the pedal move laterally in an elliptical path by utilizing the movement of arm 62.

For a good lateral exercise motion, it is preferable to set the motion path of each pedal such that when the pedal is near the mid-plane of the machine its vertical position is generally higher than that of the same pedal when it is further away from the mid-plane. This can be achieved by making motion guide means 100, 102 direct the motions of arm joints 64, 74 upward as they move toward the mid-plane. When the motion guide means are a pair of reciprocating arms as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, guide pivots 104, 106 can be placed at about a stride distance away from the mid-plane to make the arm joints and the pedals move generally upward as they move toward the mid-plane. When the motion guide means are a pair of tracks as shown in FIG. 6 the tracks may sit at an angle such that the height of the portions of the tracks near the mid-plane are generally higher than that of the portions further away from the mid-plane. However this feature that the pedals move generally upward as they move toward the mid-plane is not absolutely essential in this lateral elliptical exercise machine since the pedals also move in elliptical motion that inherently offers a similar effect in exercise in which the user may bring the pedal inward, or toward the mid-plane, by riding the upper part of the elliptical profile of the path and he or she can push the pedal outward, or away from the mid-plane, by riding the lower part of the elliptical profile even if the angle of the stride stays generally even height-wise, without tilting the overall stride in vertical direction.

Crank Pivot 24 is a simple single axle pivot. Left joint 46 and right joint 54 can be ball joints or combinations of two or three axles substantially orthogonal to each other, such as a universal joint. When the substantially orthogonal axles are combined to create a ball joint like movement or a universal joint movement, all the axles do not need to be at one point: The axes of the combined axles do not need to cross. As long as a correct number of axles are placed somewhere between two connecting parts, whether they are closely placed together or not, to create the necessary freedom of the movement, the parts are allowed to move and rotate in a designed fashion. FIG. 7 shows such joint with multiple orthogonal axles. A cross joint 220 is basically two pivots, pivot axles 222, attached substantially orthogonal to each other to give two degrees of freedom. Each pivot axle can be a ball bearing in a simple sleeve housing, and a cross joint can be two sleeve housings welded or joined together. When a flanged axle 230 is mounted on cross joint 220, the parts provide three degrees of freedom. Flanged axle 230 is pivot axle 222 with a pivot flange 224 fixed mounted on axle 222. One group of axles can be linked to another group of axles by a rod 226. Left arm joint 64 and right arm joint 74 can also be ball joints or a combination of two or three substantially orthogonal axles for each. One possible arrangement for the joints is that joints 46, 54 can be ball joints, and joints 64, 74 are combination of two substantially orthogonal axles for each. Another arrangement can be that joints 46, 54 can be combination of three substantially orthogonal axles for each, and joints 54, 74 can be combination of two substantially orthogonal axles for each as shown in FIG. 7.

To operate the lateral elliptical exercise machine, the user simply steps onto the pedals and moves them laterally while using the lower portion of the elliptical path for moving away from the mid-plane of the machine and using the upper portion of the path for moving toward the mid-plane. Once the exercise starts, the loop motion means rotates in one direction throughout the exercise period as long as the exercise motion is continuous. The user may adjust and change the resistance force applied on the flywheel to make the exercise movement easy or hard.

Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference only to the embodiments shown and described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.

CALL OUT LIST OF THE ELEMENT

-   10 Lateral elliptical Exercise Machine -   20 Base Frame -   22 Base Bottom Structure -   24 Crank Pivot -   26 Base Upright Structure -   40 Loop Motion Means -   42 Crank Pulley -   44 Left Crank Arm -   45 Left Crank Joint -   46 Left Joint -   48 Belt -   50 Flywheel -   52 Right Crank Arm -   53 Right Crank Joint -   54 Right Joint -   56 Left Elliptical Link -   57 Left Guided Point -   58 Right Elliptical Link -   59 Right Guided Point -   60 Left Aim Assembly -   62 Left Arm -   64 Left Arm Joint -   70 Right Arm Assembly -   72 Right Arm -   74 Right Arm Joint -   100 Left Motion Guide Means -   102 Right Motion Guide Means -   104 Left Guide Pivot -   106 Right Guide Pivot -   120 Left Pedal -   122 Right Pedal -   200 Base Handle -   202 Left Handle -   204 Right Handle -   220 Cross Joint -   222 Pivot Axle -   224 Pivot Flange -   226 Rod -   230 Flanged Axle 

1. A lateral elliptical exercise machine comprising: a. a base frame for supporting the lateral elliptical exercise machine on a floor, b. a loop motion means comprising a crank with its pivot rotatably fixed at a location on the base frame and providing a closed looped motion at a left connecting joint and at a right connecting joint, and c. a left motion guide means providing a substantially lateral motion with its motion path angled between 45 and 135 degree angle from the mid-plane of the machine, a right motion guide means providing a substantially lateral motion with its motion path angled between 45 and 135 degree angle from the mid-plane of the machine, wherein the left motion guide means and the right motion guide are structurally supported by the base frame, and d. a left arm pivotally joined to the loop motion means and to the left motion guide means and supporting a left pedal such that the left pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, a right arm pivotally joined to the loop motion means and to the right motion guide means and supporting a right pedal such that the right pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, wherein the left pedal and the right pedal are synchronized such that when the left pedal is urged to move, the right pedal also moves and left pedal and, the left and right motion guide means are positioned such that the left and right pedals generally move upward as they move toward the mid-plane of the machine.
 2. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the left motion guide means and the right motion guide means structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of reciprocating arms mechanically connecting the base frame and the left and right arms.
 3. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the left motion guide means and the right motion guide means structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of tracks on which the left and right arms slides.
 4. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the loop motion means is a simple crank arm with a left crank arm pivotally connected to the left arm and a right crank arm pivotally connected to the right arm.
 5. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the loop motion means is an elliptical system comprising a crank and links to provide elliptical looped motion at the joining points for the left arm and the right arm.
 6. A lateral elliptical exercise machine comprising: a. a base frame for supporting the lateral elliptical exercise machine on a floor, b. a loop motion means comprising a crank, having a left crank arm and a right crank arm, with its pivot rotatably fixed at a location on the base frame and providing a closed looped motion at a joint on the left crank arm and at a joint on the right crank arm, and c. a left motion guide means providing a substantially lateral motion with its motion path substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine, a right motion guide means providing a substantially lateral motion with its motion path substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine, wherein the left motion guide means and the right motion guide are structurally supported by the base frame, and d. a left arm pivotally joined to the loop motion means and to the left motion guide means and supporting a left pedal such that the left pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, a right arm pivotally joined to the loop motion means and to the right motion guide means and supporting a right pedal such that the right pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, wherein the left pedal and the right pedal are synchronized such that when the left pedal is urged to move, the right pedal also moves and left pedal, and the left and right motion guide means are positioned such that the left and right pedals generally move upward as they move toward the mid-plane of the machine.
 7. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the left motion guide means and the right motion guide means structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of reciprocating arms mechanically connecting the base frame and the left and right arms.
 8. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the left motion guide means and the right motion guide means structurally supported by the base frame are a pair of tracks on which the left and right arms slides.
 9. A lateral elliptical exercise machine comprising: a. a base frame for supporting the lateral elliptical exercise machine on a floor, b. a crank, having a left crank arm and a right crank arm, with its pivot rotatably fixed at a location on the base frame and providing a closed looped motion at a left joint on the left crank arm and at a right joint on the right crank arm, and c. a left reciprocating arm providing a substantially lateral motion with its motion path substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine, a right reciprocating arm providing a substantially lateral motion with its motion path substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the machine, wherein the left reciprocating arm and the right reciprocating arm are structurally supported by the base frame, and d. a left arm pivotally joined to the crank and to the left reciprocating arm at a left arm joint and supporting a left pedal such that the left pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, a right arm pivotally joined to the crank and to the right reciprocating arm at a right arm joint and supporting a right pedal such that the right pedal moves in an elliptical motion substantially in lateral direction, wherein the left pedal and the right pedal are synchronized such that when the left pedal is urged to move, the right pedal also moves, and the joints of left and right reciprocating arms to the base frame are positioned away from the mid-plane of the machine such that the left and right pedals generally move upward as they move toward the mid-plane.
 10. The lateral elliptical exercise machine of claim 9 wherein at least one of the left joint and the left arm joint is a pivot with two degree of freedom and at least one of the right joint and the right arm joint is a pivot with two degree of freedom. 